Swansea City's new US backers made a direct appeal to Ashley Williams in a late bid to persuade the skipper at the Liberty Stadium, WalesOnline understands.

But the club accepted they had to say goodbye to their defensive rock once he had made it clear he wanted to bring a close to his eight-year service in South Wales and make a £12m move to Everton.

Williams is thought to have completed the formalities on the transfer to Goodison that ends something of an era at the Swans.

But it only came after final discussions between Swansea hierarchy and the player that at one stage seemed to suggest the Wales Euro 2016 star could have stayed a Swan.

Instead, Williams looks set to now start the season as an Everton player with Swansea accepting the improved offer made by Ronald Koeman's side.

It is thought it was Williams who ultimately opted to make a break after deciding he could not turn down what would have been his last chance to experience life in the top-flight away from the Liberty Stadium.

And the club in turn looked to honour a promise made to one of their longest serving players to not stand in his way in such a situation.

While the 31-year-old – who had two years left on his existing deal – will be expected to receive a pay hike in the contract he will sign on Merseyside, money is not thought to have been a clinching factor in the move.

Instead, Williams was keen to explore a new challenge and informed Swansea's decision-makers that he wanted to take up Ronald Koeman's offer to discuss a four-year deal.

There had been strong suggestions at the end of last season Swansea had – somewhat surprisingly – been open to the idea of selling Williams should a big enough offer arrive for the centre-back.

At the same time, the player showed signs of frustrations during a turbulent campaign dogged by managerial uncertainty last season.

And with Everton tabling their £10m offer after his return from the Euros, Williams had been tempted by the possibility of a move to Merseyside and a fresh start.

However, Francesco Guidolin was said to be keen for Williams to remain as his centre-back for the coming campaign.

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And there appeared to be something of a u-turn when the club rejected the first formal offer and made it be known they were not looking to cash-in on their captain.

Everton are believed to have responded soon after with an improved bid of £12m while Williams returned to training with the rest of Guidolin's squad.

And it is then further talks over his future – that included US majority shareholders Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien spelling out their plans for the club – took place, although it is not believed to included the offer of a new contract.

Huw Jenkins with one of Swansea City's new owners Jason Levien (Image: Robert Melen)

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However, it is thought that by then Williams had already weighed up the choice in front of him with the club said to have reluctantly accepted his request to take Everton up on their offer.

Williams had snubbed the chance of moving on previously during his time with Swansea and the club took into account his lengthy stay when deciding to formally accept Everton's bid rather than create a messy stand-off. While club sources say they would have turned down the second bid, there is also the thought that £12m represents a good price for a player of his age and will now be re-invested into the Liberty playing budget.

The 31-year-old said his goodbyes at the club's training ground on Tuesday morning after the emotional decision to call time on his Swans career after close to 350 appearances.

There had been mixed messages over the weekend about whether Williams would be on his way after a hectic period of business that involved Andre Ayew leaving for West Ham and Fernando Llorente arriving from Sevilla with a record move for Atletico Madrid striker Borja Baston.

But with talks on Merseyside believed to have gone well, Swansea accept they will go into a season for the first time in nine years without Williams to call on in defence.